Here’s another thing to check before heading to a northeast airport right now: the air quality.
Due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada, on Wednesday, the FAA issued ground stops at New York City area airports. That, of course, created a ripple effect at other airports and is likely to continue for a while.
The FAA has slowed traffic to and from New York City area airports due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke.
The agency will continue to adjust the volume of traffic to account for the rapidly changing conditions.
Travel Alert: Low visibility due to smoke conditions in the northeast United States is causing delays for some flights in and out of the region. Please check with your airline for the latest updates.
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) June 8, 2023
Smoke from Canada's wildfires is affecting visibility in our airspace and leading to delays. The FAA is fully prepared to modify operations as needed. Check real-time flight information at https://t.co/htXzk0f9zb.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 7, 2023
It’s not only air travel. Wednesday’s Yankees-White Sox game, theater performances, and many other events have been postponed due to poor air quality.
Tonight’s Yankees-White Sox game (Wednesday, June 7) is rescheduled because of poor air quality due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires and will be made up tomorrow, Thursday, June 8, as the first game of a single-admission doubleheader, which will begin at 4:05pm. pic.twitter.com/nx1WxqUaTU
Graduate Hotels has a fun job opening for a fresh 2023 graduate.
From June 8 through July 7 the hip hotel chain is accepting applications (contest entries) for what it is calling its Victory Lap program.
The hotel is inviting recent graduates to submit 60-second videos highlighting “the spirit of their college town.”
Four winners will get hired for 10 weeks, for ‘salaries’ starting at $20,000 to travel to 16 cities that have Graduate Hotel properties to gather and create content highlighting those towns.
More details about the contest are available here.
Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane late Wednesday evening, but that doesn’t mean the travel woes that wild weather brings are ended.
Early Thursday morning, FlightAware listed close to 2,000 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the United States. Not surprisingly, the airports with the most canceled flights were in Florida and the southeast.
A handful of airports remain closed for commercial operations
UPDATE: TPA remains closed to the public due to #HurricaneIan and there will be no departing flights through Thursday. Please check with your airline for the latest flight information. We will share a reopening date and time when it is determined. pic.twitter.com/22YP2FoNET
Operational Update – Hurricane Ian Our airport has now ceased commercial operations in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ian. We ask you to please continue to work with your airline directly in regards to your travel plans. Stay safe. Details: https://t.co/pGiaBOseoBpic.twitter.com/czypD4fLDG
Orlando International Airport (MCO) ceased commercial operations Wednesday morning but remains open to open to accept emergency/aid and relief flights, if necessary. In preparation for Ian’s arrival, airport personnel tied down the jet bridges and covered the ticket counters. The airport’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is in full activation. And, depending on damage assessment, commercial operations are expected to resume Friday, MCO said in a statement.
Flight information boards see red today as commercial operations will cease this morning at 10:30am. Travelers make their way to their destinations while airline agents prep their ticket counters. #HurricaneIanpic.twitter.com/X9saekbM8I
MLB will likely remain closed through Thursday, September 29. Our air carriers have been notified of the closure and we will continue to work closely with them to return to normal operations as quickly as possible following the storm. (1 of 4) pic.twitter.com/xzyWiRUNvz
— Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) (@FlyMLB) September 28, 2022
Flights are currently operating Monday and Tuesday morning as scheduled. The airport terminal will close at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 9/27 due to mandatory evacuation orders from Pinellas County and remain closed until the evacuation order is lifted. Contact your airlines for updates. pic.twitter.com/zIHlzG4Ct4
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) September 26, 2022
RSW Update: The airport remains closed. All flight operations are cancelled for Thursday, Sept. 29. Please go to your airline's website for re-booking and other flight information. (Post 9/28, 1:30pm) pic.twitter.com/ahKa5EioTb
The Airport passenger terminal will be closing 9/27/22 at 5pm. Flights on Wednesday and Thursday are canceled.
For more info on flights, contact your airline.
The airport is not an authorized shelter. Please call the Seminole County Citizen Information line (407) 665-0000. pic.twitter.com/f3PbCsKevT
— Orlando Sanford International Airport (@SFB_Airport) September 27, 2022
Airports open, with delays & cancellations.
⚠️ #StormAdvisory (09/28/22) ⚠️ MIA is open. Miami-Dade County is currently under tropical storm warning and cancellations are expected. Please contact your airline regarding flight status before coming to the airport. #HurricaneIanpic.twitter.com/bZPbjTatXQ
Weather #Alert No. 4: There are flight cancellations & delays at #FLL due to #HurricaneIan's effects, so if you're flying soon, check your airline for status updates before coming to the airport. #FLL is open & operational. #HWO is temp. closed to assess overnight tornado damage.
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) September 28, 2022
Flight delays and cancellations are expected for Thursday, 9/29 and Friday, 9/30. Please check airline websites for the most up-to-date flight information prior to coming to the airport. The airlines will determine schedule changes and cancellations. Posted Wednesday, 9/28,9:00PM pic.twitter.com/qWjpqsLOJ2
Here are links to the travel alerts and travel waiver offers from many domestic airlines. Many now cover flights to, from, or through airports in cities throughout Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
If you’ve got a flight scheduled, be sure to keep checking back.
Our Network Operations Control Employees have been working around the clock to track the progress of Hurricane Ian, which is expected to cause continued disruptions as it approaches the mainland. Check your flight status and explore self-service options: https://t.co/eaI402JGFcpic.twitter.com/I6YwkGzokl
Hurricane Ian is causing airports to close and airlines to cancel flights and offer passengers travel waivers.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) plans to stop commercial operations at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 28, until it is safe to resume flights.
Operational Update – Hurricane Ian Commercial operations at MCO will cease at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, 09/28/22. Entry to all parking facilities will be closed at that same period. Please contact your airline for flight updates. pic.twitter.com/P75DooP2EA
Tampa International Airport (TPA) will suspend operations at 5 pm today.
ICYMI: TPA leaders provided an update regarding Hurricane Ian’s impacts on Airport operations and planned recovery. The Airport will be suspending operations at 5 p.m. today.
TPA TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS: In preparation for Hurricane Ian, TPA will suspend all operations on Tuesday, September 27, at 5:00 p.m. The Airport will be closed to all visitors at that time. Read more: https://t.co/RbS1uKuXtf
Other airports in the region are closing operations Tuesday and Wednesday as well. Others are advising travelers to be prepared for canceled flights.
The Airport passenger terminal will be closing 9/27/22 at 5pm. Flights on Wednesday and Thursday are canceled.
For more info on flights, contact your airline.
The airport is not an authorized shelter. Please call the Seminole County Citizen Information line (407) 665-0000. pic.twitter.com/f3PbCsKevT
— Orlando Sanford International Airport (@SFB_Airport) September 27, 2022
Flights are currently operating Monday and Tuesday morning as scheduled. The airport terminal will close at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 9/27 due to mandatory evacuation orders from Pinellas County and remain closed until the evacuation order is lifted. Contact your airlines for updates. pic.twitter.com/zIHlzG4Ct4
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) September 26, 2022
As Hurricane Ian approaches, The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport will be CLOSED starting at 8pm today, 9/27/2022.
All scheduled flight operations will be suspended following our last departure at 6pm. Check with your airline for the latest flight information. pic.twitter.com/ld4bRlXrwz
Airlines offering travel waivers due to Hurricane Ian
Many airlines have posted travel advisories and are offering no-fee travel waivers to passengers flying to, from, or through airports in Hurricane Ian’s path.
ADVISORY: Due to Hurricane Ian and forecasted weather conditions in Florida, a weather advisory has been issued for Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. See more info here: https://t.co/LAnLbQYE8y
Alaska Airlines has a Hurricane Ian-related travel alert posted for 5 airports.
American Airlines has issued a travel alert for 20 airports in the western Caribbean and Florida, allowing customers whose travel plans are affected by Hurricane Ian to rebook without change fees.
Of course, all this can change depending on what happens to the hurricane. So if you are traveling in the next few days, be sure to check with your airline to see if flights are operating.
Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
In advance of the storm, Tampa International Airport (TPA) closed on Tuesday afternoon and is reopening Wednesday, early than expected, at 8:30 am.
“TPA’s Operations team made the determination to open early after evaluating the airfield and airport facilities for storm damage from Elsa, which brought gusts of up to 41 miles per hour overnight.
The Airport did not sustain any damage from the storm. TPA’s roadways are clear, and the garages and rental car center are open.“
The final commercial flight before Elsa is away and all is quiet at TPA! Please stay safe, Tampa Bay! pic.twitter.com/VrprIkbBJH
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) July 6, 2021
Due to Tropical Storm Elsa there may be delayed or cancelled flights throughout the day. Be sure to check with your airline for the most updated flight information before heading to the airport. #TropicalStormElsahttps://t.co/DvIqwrVDLw
A heatwave in the Pacific Northwest and some other parts of the country is adding another challenge to air travel as we head into a holiday weekend.
As a result, some airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, are offering fee-free travel waivers. And Alaska Airlines has put a ban on pets traveling as cargo to and from more than a dozen cities until at least after the July 4th weekend.
Here are some of the details, and useful links to policies as of Monday evening, June 28:
And while Alaska Airlines isn’t offering change fee waivers as of Monday evening, it is pre-canceling some flights.
“While we never want to let our guests down, only a small fraction of our flights have been pre-canceled and we are doing our best to re-accommodate those guests,” the airline said on its website, “
And, because of the heat, through July 7, Alaska Airlines is not accepting animals for travel in the baggage departments to or from most of the affected airports listed above. Ticketed pets are still permitted to travel in the cabin with their owners.
A historic heat wave is impacting travel in the Pacific Northwest & beyond. Read about the proactive steps we are taking to get ahead of the challenges and keep the safety of our people and operations at the forefront: https://t.co/Mv31CnTQjM
American Airlines’ change fee waiver offer is in effect for ticketed travelers through June 29 for trips to, through, or from the cities below. The airlines’ website notes that this information was current as of June 25, 2021, so if record-breaking heat continues in these areas, the waiver could be updated or extended. Check the website for details.
Winter won’t go away just yet. Winter storm Xylia wreaked havoc with roads and air traffic in the midwest over the weekend. More than two feet of snow fell at Denver International Airport as of 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
More than 2000 flights in and out of DEN were canceled over the weekend, with hundreds more already canceled for Monday.
Here are some of the images DEN shared on Twitter on Sunday
⚠️ Blizzard conditions continue at the airport. Airlines have ceased operations at DEN for the rest of the day. Peña Blvd is currently impassable with multiple disabled vehicles along the roadways, if you absolutely must come to the airport, please use the @RideRTD A-Line instead pic.twitter.com/uEnXERcDDd
❄️It’s coming down at DEN!❄️ Predicted snowfall rates of .5 to 1 inch per hour may last throughout the day. Our crews are working hard to keep the runways and roadways clear! pic.twitter.com/n5JPijleqX
If you do have a flight scheduled through DEN or other airports in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, here are links to the storm-related travel alerts and flight change rules posted by airlines.
There's a travel waiver extension in place for winter weather in the Denver area. If you're traveling 3/12 – 3/17 the easiest way to change your flight or connect through a different city is through the United app or by direct messaging us here. https://t.co/uzrhIv1oA8pic.twitter.com/1e6DaAeh7y
Severe winter storms are already wreaking havoc with Thanksgiving travel plans across the country.
Denver International and many other airports are taking out their snowplows and de-icing gear and advising travelers to be sure to check the status of their flights before leaving home.
While we *might* feel this way about the storm, the team at DEN is ready to keep runways and roadways clear! Several flights have already been cancelled tonight and in the morning and more delays are possible, so please double check your flight status with your airline @CoWxpic.twitter.com/TpbEl1pora
Many airlines are offering fee-free flight changes, waivers on fare differences for rebooked flights and refunds left and right.
In some cases, they are encouraging passengers to switch to flights leaving a day or two early.
At 9 p.m. on the west coast, these are some of the airlines issuing travel alerts. No doubt there will be updates and more alerts by morning and over the next few days. So, if you’re scheduled to fly anytime over this holiday, be sure to check your airline’s website and sign up for alerts about your flight.
American Airlines has a travel alert for passengers scheduled to fly November 27 to/through or from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Frontier Airlines has canceled many flights through Denver and Colorado Springs, CO on Tuesday, November 26. Advisories for rebooking and refunds are on their site.
JetBlue has posted travel alerts for flights in and out of Denver International Airport on Tuesday, November 26.
Southwest Airlines is warning customers that flight schedules may be “disrupted,” as in delayed, diverted, and/or canceled on Tuesday, November 26 in Denver and on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26 and 27 through Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Due to forecasted weather conditions, service to some cities may be disrupted through tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26. Check your flight status and explore rebooking options: https://t.co/kLvpvG0QAfpic.twitter.com/vO0uFbKSZl
United
Airlines’ winter weather alert also applies to flights in and out of Denver
on Tuesday 26.
We’ve issued a travel waiver for Denver due to anticipated winter weather. If you’re traveling 11/26, you can change your flight at no cost on our mobile app, by direct messaging us here or calling Reservations at 1-800-864-8331. Waiver: https://t.co/PyE7xsAoNPpic.twitter.com/kqowNR09Nd
Bottom line: even if the weather looks great where you are – or where you’re headed to, bad weather in other parts of the country can still disrupt your travels. Check flights, check again and, as always, pack lots of patience when you go to the airport this time of year.
Many airlines are offering waivers on change fees for passengers with booked flights to, through or from cities likely to be hit by Hurricane Michael.
Full refunds are available from some carriers as well.
This Weather Channel map should travelers make many travelers sit up and take notice. Airlines certainly are.
Here’s a link to travel advisories from American Airlines and JetBlue and Tweets from some other airlines that have issued weather alerts.
If you’re getting on a plane soon, check with your airline for cancellations and complimentary changes you might be allowed to (or need to) make as this storm does its thing.
We've updated our Travel Advisory with the latest information regarding Hurricane Michael. Service to some cities may be disrupted through October 14.
We don’t anticipate any impact to the operation at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) as the storm is expected to remain southeast of Atlanta.
We have issued a weather advisory for those traveling to/from/through Pensacola, FL (PNS), Atlanta, GA (ATL), Tampa, FL (TPA) and Birmingham, AL (BHM)) on 10/9 – 10/11. If your travel is affected, please read full details here: https://t.co/c17wLa3jb1pic.twitter.com/5qxK5YwpQY
Want to help the people and communities trying to deal with the aftermath of Hurriance Florence, Tphoone Mangkhut, the flooding in western Japan, the California wildlfires and whatever comes next?
See below for campaigns United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are spearheading to raise funds for a variety of humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
⚠️ Washout is what happens when floodwaters damage a roadway like this one in @CityofWilm. DO NOT go around barricades! They are there to keep you safe. Travel is not advised in southeastern NC. #FlorenceNCpic.twitter.com/BGJiMOUvNE
United has pledged to match the first $50,000 raised and to provide up to 5 million bonus miles as thank-you gifts to MileagePlus program members who pledge at least $50 or more before October 31, 2019.
Donate $50-$99 and get 250 miles; donate $100 to $249 and get 500 award miles; donate $250 or more and get 1,000 bonus award miles.
American Airlines if also offering bonus miles as a thank-you to AAdvantage members who donate to the American Red Cross by October 5. American is offering 10 miles for every dollar donated with a minimu donation of $25 dollars.
Through Delta Air Line’sSkyWish program SkyMiles members can donate miles to help get volunteers helping with disaster relief get where they need to be.
Whether you’d like bonus miles or have lots of extra miles to share, this is a pretty good time to be generous with your cash or your miles – or both.
